Overhanging Vegetation, Trees or Hedges

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council is responsible for trees and hedges growing on the adopted highway verges. However in almost all cases, the boundary hedges and trees that are next to roads are the responsibility of the adjacent landowner. Highway verges are cut for road safety purposes to maintain visibility at junctions and to provide room for people to walk on the pavement.

We carry out regular safety inspections of our roads, and as part of the inspection process we aim to identify grass verges which have become overgrown and which may pose a hazard to highway users.

Please note: the authority does not maintain the trunk road – A470, A4060 and A465 (Heads of the Valleys Road). These roads are the responsibility of the South Wales Trunk Road Agent and should be reported directly to them.

Verges

• We cut a strip of verge roughly one metre wide down both sides of the road
• We maintain visibility for road users, especially on road junctions, visibility splays and crossroads
• We keep traffic signs clear
• We keep verges passable for pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists

Verges provide important habitats for a variety of species of insects and animals. As a consequence, we cut a limited width of most rural verges only once a year. By keeping the width of cutting to a minimum, the remaining verge area can provide an important habitat for wildflowers and wildlife.

The Council arranges grass cutting via their in-house parks teams. Funding is allocated annually through the routine highways maintenance budget to ensure that grass cutting is continued throughout the growing season.

For further information please see our information on the responsibilities of Landowners.